Thermostatic flasher



Dec. 15, 1942. 5, s, JR 2,304,888

THERMOSTAT I C FLASHER Filed Feb. 19, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 15, 1942. G. B. DAVIS, JR

THERMOSTAT IC FLASHER Filed Feb. 19, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 p. .H 4 r.

" Patented Dec. 15, 1942 UNITED. .STATES PATENT OFFICE" G! BiDlflS, If. WM 1). 0.. P1168 10!!- FQM 19, 1940, 861181 N0. 319:! 2 claims- (Cl. 177-346) This invention relates to a thermostatic circuit control mechanism adaptable solely and specifically to lights hooked in series, as those for display and ornamental purposes.

I believe this invention new and novel in that instead of breaking circuit in a series. as is the case with the flashing mechanism now in use, this invention flashes the individual globe by distributing the current through two lights, thus causing alternate twinkling eifect without materially affecting the other lights in the series of a string of lamps in series.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means for having a thermostatic mechanism flash two lights alternately, thus by diverting the flowof current through a second light the current to the remaining lights in the series is not increased.

A further object of the invention is to provide a flasher, rugged in construction, which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easily as- The mechanism is held in place within screw shell 4 by bending bars I3 and I4 as shown.

In the operation of this mechanism we will refer to Fig. 5. One circuit passes up terminal l3 through resistor l3 and connects with the other circuit through filaments l3 and I3; the heat given off by current passing through It causes thermo-strip l3 to bend forward and contact I4; on so doing the current is shunted around filament l3 and in full through filament l3 causing it to get brighter. A cooling of the resistor will permit bar U to move away from contact with bar l4 permitting the current to sembled, yet practical and emcient to a high degree.

In the accompanying drawings are shown the various possible embodiments of this invention.

Fig. 1. is an elevation of the invention housing the mechanism.

Fig. 2 a sectional view showing the assembly.

Fig. 3 a view of the invention in combination with two sockets.

Fig. 4 a view of the thermostatic mechanism.

Fig. 5a circuit diagram of the invention as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 a section on Fig. 2 showing the insulating partition supporting the thermostat.

Fig. I a sectional view of a variation of the invention in combination with two sockets.

Fig. 8 a circuit diagram of the variation as shown in Fig. '7.

Fig. 1 shows a view of the portion of the invention housing the thermostatic mechanism.

In Fig. 2 I is a metal band pressed into position and holding together insulating receptacles 2 and 3. Held in position between 2 and 3 is a supporting disk of insulation 3 which separates cavity 6 from 1. 4 is an inserting screw shell that fits around 3 and is electrically connected with terminal 8 at point ll. I2 is an insulating portion that fits up into 4 and supports bar l3 which forms the base contact of the socket. Bar 14 is aillxed to bar l3 but insulated therefrom by washers 2| and. 22. Bar I4 extends through 5 and forms terminal 3. The resistor 16 connects with bar ID at point I! and bar l3 at point I5.

pass again through filament is.

Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of the thermostatic mechanism. I4 is the s pporting bar; 23 and 24 contact points; l3 thermostatic strip affixed to bar H by rivet 20 but insulated from same bywashers 2| and 22. Resistor I3 is wound around l3 but insulated therefrom at all points except where contact is made at point l5.

Fig. 3 shows the device 21 in combination with a pair of lamp sockets 25 and 26.

Fig. 'l is a sectional view of a variation of the same invention diifering from Fig. 2 in that this construction can be made water proof by scaling up the base of the screw shell as shown at 33, with a wire connecting to the mechanism at 35 and soldered in place at 34; and by filling 30 with an insulating plastic 3|. Contacts with the Fig.8 shows the circuit diagram of the inven-.

tion as shown in Fig. 7. Current passes up 36 through resistor 31 and completes the circuit through filament 33.. Current passing through resistor 31 causes it to heat, actuating thermostrip 43 causing contact 4| tomove into contact with, shunting the current through 43, allowing resistor 31 to cool and 4| to move away from The result is an alternating flashing effect of the two filaments 33 and 43.

The object of the extension wire connecting the mechanism with the two sockets is to permit the two sockets being placed far enough apart so that the distinct alternate flashing effect will not be noticed. The mechanism just described can only be used with lights hooked up in series.

Fig. 6 is a plan view relating to Fig. 2, showing metal band I with insulating receptacle 3 and disk 5 as it fits into 3. Indentions 44 and 45 are to' prevent the rotation of disk 5.

I claim:

1. A combination of an inserting plug member, a air of receiving socket members, current conveying means leading from said plug member to said socket members. thermostatic means housed in said plug member for intermittently diverting a portion of the current from one of said socket members to the other of said ocket members.

2. A combination oi a. pair of lamp sockets, an inserting plug member, a. common lead connectin: one terminal of each of said sockets with a terminal of said plug member, individual leads connecting the other terminals'oi said sockets 10 with a thermostatic circuit making and braking device, said device consisting of s heatinz coil in circuit with one of said individual leads, a

able thermostatic strip connecting coil for moving into and out of contact with'the said individual leads. one or said coil being connected to the other terminal otsaid other '01 plug member.

B. DA VIB, JLf' 

